Reanaaria Bay Pirates

The pirates of Reanaaria Bay are a more organized and devious group of cutthroats than pirates encountered elsewhere. A group of spies known only as the Friends of the Coin aids the pirates of Reanaaria Bay. These spies gather information about shipping in all ports and are usually in league with the local thieves’ guild. Many pirate controlled islands of Reanaaria Bay were originally discovered over three centuries ago by Captain Rogaar Blackthorn, a pirate smuggler. After landing on several of the islands for supplies, Blackthorn decided it would be useful to set up sanctuaries to rest the crew and repair his ships. In addition to fresh water, game and fruit, he found friendly natives on many of these islands who were naive about the outside world. Rogaar quickly enslaved these natives. The Captain put the natives to work building small villages, some with wooden palisades around them. While Captain Blackthorn’s career grew over the years, so did his settlements. As more and more pirates joined or were impressed into Blackthorn’s fleet, he began to assign sub-captains and dole out turf rights while he relaxed and seized the spoils. His original fortifications were built of wood using slave labor but later upgraded his personal castle with stone under the guidance of a captured architect. At the age of 75, Blackthorn’s successful career ended with his natural death. His close associate, Sitaar Noogain, tried to take control of the pirate empire. Sitaar eventually began to fear competition from his fellow captains and tried to appease them by creating a governing table of 13 captains with only the most powerful invited to sit. The Captains’ Table of Thirteen, as it came to be known, proved to be a successful alliance for pirates of the region. Although Sitaar did not control the entire pirate empire, he was able to maintain control of both Blackthorn’s keep and fleet for many years. Eventually, the foulest and most feared captain of the region gained power and attained a seat at the Table. He was an evil Wizard by the name of Kolaar Swiftstrike. He took total control of the Captains’ Table over the smoldering body of Sitaar Noogain. The unnaturally old Kolaar Swiftstrike still rules the islands today. Swiftstrike is responsible for the creation of the network of spies called the Friends of the Coin. The five main islands of the Captains’ Table are located just off the east coast of the Obakasek Jungle. They can harbor anywhere from 20 to 100 ships, depending on the island. The islands have a population of about 3,000 pirates working on 150 ships. Each island has a walled town armed with catapults overlooking the harbor. The pirates not only raid Reanaaria Bay, but other seas as well.